Kansas State University Athletics
Kansas State University
0-1
Auburn
1-0
K-State falls to No. 18 Auburn, 23-13
Sep 01, 2007 | Football
AUBURN, Ala.(AP)-- Brandon Cox threw a touchdown pass to Gabe McKenzie with 2:01 remaining and Antonio Coleman returned a fumble for a score moments later Saturday night to give No. 18 Auburn a 23-13 win over Kansas State.
Auburn's offense struggled all night, and Kansas State seemed poised for its 18th straight season-opening win, the first against a ranked opponent on the road.
But Auburn finally wore down the Wildcats. Cox -- who spent most of the game on his back or trying to escape pressure -- found McKenzie alone in the left corner of the end zone from the 3 to cap a 57-yard, seven-play drive.
The Wildcats got the ball back but Quentin Groves sacked Josh Freeman, forcing a fumble that Coleman returned 34 yards for a touchdown.
Freeman completed 32 of 57 passes for 268 yards and was intercepted twice, including on Kansas State's final possession after Coleman's fumble return.
Freeman's passing numbers rank as some of the best in school history. His 32 completions rank as the second-most in school history and most since Chad May had 33 against Kansas on Oct. 6, 1994, while his 57 attempts are the third-most in school history and the most since Dennis Morrison had 59 against Iowa State on Oct. 21, 1972.
Kansas State players were stunned afterward. As Auburn fans went wild in a stadium that was nearly all orange, the Wildcats gathered in a tight group in front of their bench and walked off the field in formation. A few thousand fans dressed in purple cheered.
It was a stunning end for K-State.
With the Wildcats trailing 6-3 after a first half dominated by defense, Kansas State's Marcus Watts intercepted Cox at the Wildcats 31 on the first play of the third quarter. Freeman directed the offense to the Auburn 21, and it was time for a trick.
Freeman took the snap and turned left, tossing a lateral to wide receiver Jordy Nelson on a third-and-6 play. Nelson heaved the ball deep to Leon Patton, who was all alone in the right side of the end zone for the first touchdown of the game.
Kansas State's Brooks Rossman kicked field goals from 20 and 40 yards, but he missed from 47 yards.
Auburn freshman Wes Byrum also had field goals of 20 and 31 yards.
Auburn only returned one starter on the offensive line, and it showed. Cox was sacked five times -- four times in the first half -- and spent most of the game trying to escape Wildcat defenders coming at him from all directions.
Cox was 17-of-30 passing with two interceptions for 229 yards.
Kansas State held Auburn to only 62 yards rushing.
Team Stats
KS 3, AU 0
KS - Rossman, Brooks 20 yd field goal 13 plays, 61 yards, TOP 4:29
KS 3, AU 3
AU - Wes Byrum 20 yd field goal 9 plays, 69 yards, TOP 4:27
KS 3, AU 6
AU - Wes Byrum 39 yd field goal 11 plays, 44 yards, TOP 6:22
KS 10, AU 6
KS - Patton, Leon 21 yd pass from Nelson, Jordy (Rossman, Brooks kick) 6 plays, 69 yards, TOP 1:41
KS 13, AU 6
KS - Rossman, Brooks 40 yd field goal 11 plays, 52 yards, TOP 4:23
KS 13, AU 9
AU - Wes Byrum 31 yd field goal 4 plays, 1 yards, TOP 1:34
KS 13, AU 16
AU - Gabe McKenzie 3 yd pass from Brandon Cox (Wes Byrum kick) 6 plays, 57 yards, TOP 2:25
KS 13, AU 23
AU - Antonio Coleman 34 yd fumble recovery (Wes Byrum kick)
